Simplex train control



t cult of the electrical equipment iscoiitrollcd tor producing suchvelncle-iifootroiling con- Patented Dot. 9, 1923.

* UNITED STATES SIMZLEX TRAIN CONTROL.

PATENT OFFICE.

KLEBED L. ao rnvnnos ROCHES rsa, New YORK, ASSIGNOB TO siiir iinx TRAINCON- 7 r sen CGIVIPANY, Inc, or ROCHESTER, new

A ORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Application filed January is, 1921. Flerial No. 437,288.

lie it known that I, ALFRED L. RU'i'HvEN, a cii' i of the United States,residing at Rochester, in the coi'inty of lrlonroe and State or" NewYork, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Sii'nplexTrain Controls, oi which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawing.

The present invention relates to train controlling apparatus, and hasfor its primary 'ect i' e provision of an extremely simple, lilyeiiicient and thoroiighly clialile apparatus o't that nature for thecontrol] a vchiclcor train, which eliminates (()iii-- ditions aspredetermined, without the necessity of rising complicated coo ieratingdevices between the vehicle and track, such ,i iiirtlirr object theprovision of a nQQlllDlliDHh i'or controili de ices, rmindir ng or rcon-d or may be (low ,7 I previously selected arrangement, and

the simple c ii l he vi, clc circuit, the .t

i that dangen indicatii be producer: should the for e i ther theftracl:or

ch-wtrical r:

l ill 4 vehicle err;

he desired.

ramps, tries induction magnets, andto an vnt iiiil, thus providing for areliable and certain stopping of the vehicle should the pinent fail tofuncton as intended, as

or condition should the apparatus become defective or should the vehicleequipment tail to respond to the track conditions as intended.

A- still turther object is the provision of a vehicle equipment havingnovel means to be operated step by step or with progressive action toproduce different desired signals or conditions in succession thevehicle i'i'ioves along the track, and thus enable various conditions tobe indicated on the vehicle or the vehicle controlled accordingly. Inthis manner;- asthe vehicle proceeds which may be in" either "directionit the apparatus is so intended, a caution signal or condition can beproduced on the vehicle, and, if desired danger signal or condition canthenbe produced after such caution indication or condition, 'or seriesof successive signals or conditions be provided for to operate step bystep or in progressive succession in order to develop a proper cautionand then dang-fercondition or control of the vehicle.

A further object is the control of such vehicle equipment according tothe speed of the vehicle under caution and danger conditions, w ierebynormal conditions can only be restored for the continued movement of thevehicle when the predetermined con ditions are complied. with, such asafter the slmvingdown oi the vehicle below a predetermined speedfollowing a caution signal or condition, 1' the bringing oi the vehicleto stop after a danger indication or condition, whereby requiring eitherthe retarding or slowing up of the vehicle under caution conditions toenable the vehicle. to proceed or the stoppin ir or the vehicle underdanger conditions before it can resume its 'niovcment.

Vfith the foregoing andother objects in view, which will be apparent asthe'devscription proceeds, the invention resides in the constructionandarrangement oil parts hcrcinat'tcr described and claimed, it being theof he. eh eeq mee r The ra k t of t e apne e emp oy the"traflic--ra1lsR, although special control rails or conducting means can be used ifdesired, but such special rails are unnecessary inasmuch as thetrafiic-rails will suflice in most instances. As shown two pairsof'wheels V travel onsaid rails B. These wheels may be the wheels of oneof the-trucks of the locomotive or one of the cars, or may be a specialtruck,-it being required that the two pairs of wheels V be insulatedfrom one another, as at 7, and the terminals of a vehicle controlcircuitS are connected to the two pairs of wheels V 9 ;so'that saidcircuit will be normally closed "wheneverfeither oi both of the rails Rare electrically continuous between the wheels ,Wat thecorrespondingside or sides.

The circuit8 is opened or broken by the proyision of. insulating points9 in both rails R arranged in pairs whereby the truck in passing over acontrol point'will bring the wvl1,eels"W at opposite sides of or astridethe insulating points 9 of one pair, thereby Q lureaking. or opening thecircuit 8 through .-both rails R between the wheels W at the oppositesidesf .Any suitable number oi? pairs of insulatingpoints 9 in the railsR can be provided in series or at suitablyspaced intervals at a controlstation or portioniof the track, whereby the vehicle in moving along thetrack and passing over theainsulating, points 9 in succession, willbreak the circuit 8 one onmore times, according to theweo'nditions.sulating points 9 are spaced apart -farther than; the wheelslV,evhei-eby the circuit 8 is 7 closed when the" truck is travellingbetween two pairs of insulatingpoints 9, whereas the circuit is opened.or broken when the truck passes over either pair of insulating points,thus, successively breaking and closing the circuit, unless one rail Ris electrically connectcd or bridged across the insulating point orpoints 9. i 1

In order to control the vehicle equipment from the track, undertl'afiic'or other con-.- ditions, oneinsulating point 9 of each pairisbridgedbby 1 a suitable I switch 10, which when closed will connect thesections or the V corresponding rail R across the insulation, to makethe railelectrically continuous so that the wheels at one side are inelectrical. connection, even though the truck is uStIl'dG the insulatingpoints9, and maintaining the circuit 8 closed, unless the switch 10 isopened, which will break the circuit. The opening and closing o'ttheswitch 10, therefore, will result in the circuit 8 being eitheropenedvor' maintained closed when The pairs of in-' the truck'passesover the insulating points 9 of the rails. The switches 10 of theseveral insulated points of the track can be operated by any suitablemeans. A shown, electromagnets l1 are employed for holding the switches10 closed, whereby such switches will open auto ti'callyif theelectromagnets are dcenergized, either intentionally ,or by theaccidental failure of the track equipment, thereby providing a positivebreaking "or opening of the circuit 8 "when the truck passes over theinsulating points 9. As shown, each magnet 11, is disposed in a CH- cuit12 including a controlling switch 13 that can be operated manually or byany suitable mechanism-or means tor control as may be desired ornecessary.

When it is desired to use the present arrangement in combination with anordinary bloclbsignal system, the rails ll can be insulated at other.points, as at for such purposes, provided that such insulating points 14are staggered and sufficiently spaced apart so that two insulatingpoints 1.4 of the two rails do not lie suflieiently close together sothat the truck could pass astride such insulatingpoints simultaneously.This will permit of the insulation of both rails at intervals as at 14for block signals or the like, without in any way in- .l'er'fering withthe operation of the present apparatus. The insulating points; 9,howcver, must be arranged sufficiently far apart longitudinally of thetrack so that the space 1 whichthc conductor and. rail may form a part.The onlyrequirement, therefore, for the purposes oi the presentinvention, IS

that both rails have the insiiilating points 9' in pairs with switchesfor bridging the gaps undersuitable means of! control. 7

Instead of using the two pairs of wheels 7 of the truck for thccontactbetween the terminals of the'circuit 8"and the rails R, any

other suitable insulated pairs of contact members can be used, as Wlllbe readily uns derstood by thos'eyversed in the art:

Coming to the vehicle equipment of which 1 the circuit 8 and. pairs ofcontact wheels or members area part, such c rcu t is ener-' gized by an.electrical. generator 16 or other source of electricalcurrent,therebyenergizingQwhen the circuit closed, the electromagnetsl'l' and 18 of a responsive ratchet device 19 for producing differentcontrolling sig- Furthermore,

as shown, said device controls a caution electromagnet or device 20 anda danger electromagnet or device 21. The magnets 20 and 21 are disposedin the respective circuits and 23, both of which include the gene tor16,

so that each magnet is energized when its circui-ais closed. Thesemagnets 20 and 21 can operate suitable signal. members or controllingdevices, such as disclosed in my pending tlll-pllttllilODFi tlerial Nos.211 300 and 257,336, filed Feb. i, 1918, and Get. 8, 1918,

respectively, although any suitable signalling or controlling devicescan be controlled by the device 19, within the scope of appended claims,by the making and breaking otthe electrical circuits or the equii 'alentthereof. For purpose of illustration, pivoted armatures and 25 for themagnets 20 r and 21 are pr ded, which are normally attract-ed to saidmagnets, when they are energized, and when the magnets are deon'ergizedsaid armatures will swing. or drop to give caution, and danger signalsor to produce corresponding conditions, respectively.

The ratchet device fl9 is responsive to track conditions tordcontrollingthe vehicle equipment accordingly, and includes a ratchet wheel or drum2:6 having a segment 27 normally bridging the terminal contac 28 of thecircuit 22, and said wheel 26 has a 1-. second segment 29 normallybridging the terminal contacts 30 or" the circuit 23. The segment 29longer, circumterentially of the wheel, than the segment 27, wherebywhen the wheel 26 1S advanced one step, the

segment 2 is removed from the contacts 28, thereby opening the circuit22, whereas the segment 29 still bridges the contacts 30, but when thewheel is advanced another step, then'the segment 29'is also removed tromthe contacts 30, thereby opening the circuit 23. In this manner, the

nalling or controllin devices are operated in succession producing acaution signal or condition first and then a danger signal orcondition,or a series of other signals or conditions can thus he obtained inprogres ive succession,

as tie device 19 is advanced or moved step l' step. The ratchet wheel 26is mounted rot: Lonon shatt 32. and a suitable, other means serves toreturn the whet- 126 original orinitial position when p the wheel isreleased, to uni niatically restore the cautionhnd f ailing orcontrolling devices the circuits 22 stored. r

when

said magnet 1 it is energized. and carries a pivoted pawl 3e, and thewheel 26,

has the notches or teeth a l ccssive engagement of. said pawl, and'thepawl carries anarmature under the in fiuence or" the electromagnet 18,which niagnet 18 serves to release the pawl 34 from the ratchet wheel 26when the wheel has been advanced a step. ix spring 38 is provided forswinging the pawl against the wheel 26 when said pawl is released fromthe magnet 18. Normally, tle armature lever tracted by the magnet 17 andthe pawl 34 attrarted by the n'iagncl l8. when the circuit 8 is normallyclosed, and when the circuitis broken either intentionally oraccidentally, or should the current fail, the magnets 17 and 18 denergized, thereby releasing the lever 33 audits pawl Such lever willdrop and the pawl engage the notch or tooth 35, and when the circuit 8 iagain closed, the lever 33 is attracted by the energized magnet 17thereby turning the wheel one step, and when the step is completed, thepawlin moving with the lever 33 will bring the armature 37 thereof inclose proximity with the pole of the magnet 18, so that the pawl isattracted to the magnet '18 and disengaged from the wheel 26, therebyprovidi 21g 1' r the advanceot the wheel 26 and the releasin of the pawl34 with one operation.

Means is provided for holding the wheel 26 when advanced one or moresteps, so as to maintain the signalling or controlling con- 'ClltlODSdependent on other conditions, and,

for this purpose, a pair of catches or detents and 40 are pivotallymounted to bear against the periphery of the wheel 26, and said wheelhas a notch or tooth all for the engagement of the catch 39 when saidwheel is to. advance the wheel 26 the second step.

The restoration 0% normal conditions is controlled lz-ythc speed ormotion of the veiiole, thereby requiring certain conditions as o themovement of the vehicle to be complied with before normal conditions rethis purpose, a governor 43 is provided, being operated according tothe.

mood of the vehicle, said governor being vmountt-zd on a shaft which isoperatively connected, by any suitalle means, as at 45, w th one or thewheels oi the vehicle, and said governor has a sleeve as shdable on theslu ft 44- and moved to different position according to the speed -0 t",the governor. A lever at? is operated by the sleeve 41-6111 order toposition said lever according to the speed of iective notches 4i and 42,and the slots 7 areo'f such a length, that when the speed of llievehicle reduced below a predetermined 2 01 speed for caution conditions,the lever in being swung will result in the lug 5E2 rontacting with theupper end of the slot 50, ihcreby raising the catch 89 and disengaging tfrom the wheel 26, whereas it the speed of he vehicle is reduced stillfurther and the hicle hreught to. a stop, the lever l? is swung fartherso that when the vehicle comes to rest, the lug 52 in contacting withtheupper end of the slot of the bar 49, will now arise the :atch 4:0 and d'ngage it "from the wheel 26. detent dein this inai ier, the "vices orcatches 39 and 4i;l), which maintain the device 19 in advancedsignalling or con- 6rollingpositions, are controlled bythe governor 43according to the woveu'icnt of the rchicle, said catches 2-3. :12 ibeing released in succession as the vehicle speed reduced below apredetermined sate caution speed and to a standstill, respecti ely.

in operation, the circuit 8 is normally closed by one or both; rails Bwhen the vehicie is moving on the track, providing the switches 10 arein closed or clear position, so

at the vehicleequipment is normally encrgized with the arniatures ormembers 24 and 2;") in clear position. New, should the truck pass over apair of insulating points 9, the switch 1.0 oi? which is opened, thiswill resuit in theins'ulating points 9 stopping the flow of currentbetween the wheels at both sides thereby opening or breaking the circuit8, and the magnets 17 andfS are therefore deenergized. When the truckhas passed such insulating points 9, 8 is again closedby the rails R,thereby againenergizing the n'iagnets 1? and 18, and operating the lever33 so as to advancethe wheel one step and to then release the pawl '34,said wheelbeing held in. this posi tion by the engagement oil? the catch39 in the notch 4:1. As a result, circuit-22 is opened by the removal ofthe segment 27 from the contact 28 thereby deenergizing the magnet 90and releasing the armature or member 24. which will give a cautionsignal, or produce caution conditions otherwise for controlling thevehicle. Such conditions will continue as long as the wheel 26 isretained in advanced position bythe catch 39, until the speed of .tlie'ehicle is reduced below a safe caution seed, at which time, themovement of the governor lO will. swing the lever 47a sutficient amountto pull the bar 48 and swing the catch 39 away from the wheel 26,thereby releasing said wheel so that the spring :33 0f the lever [Saidslots-permit the. catches 39 and a0 to drop or swlng lnto the V thecircuit ra os close the circuit 22. Supposini that device 191s actuatedfor caution s. the truck passes over a second ting points 9, the switch10 of which iened, this "will again open the sed the the circuit 8 thelever 33 l by the nine] t i. I, will heing d from said wheel'by tieinagnet l8 as hel ore. This will, in. addition to 'ng of the circuit 22,also open the the removal oif -thesegnient 29 an the con nets 30, sothat the magnet 21 will be decnergized to release the armature niiher 25ror indii sting danger or pronig danger conditions, which are n'iaind aslong as the wheel 26 is held by the l l l'rcn the venicle is brought toa 1 again close. Consequently, zeing dropped and then ralsed H result inthe and 34! still, win swing the lever at? sufliciently to pull the 1isengage the catch 410 as will c cm the wheel26, thereby role g saidwheel for the return there of nit the sprin This will restore normalconditions for the movement of the vehicle.

The insulating points 9 can be repeated at intervals along the track. soas to repeat the control 0t thevehicle so that it the vehicle proceedsunder caution or danger conditions the opening of the circuit 8 can berepeated to repeat the caution, and danger control. l nrthermorc thecontrol ispositive. l);,('JIESUI' the circuit 9 will be broken wheneverthe truck passes over a pair of insulating points 9 with the switch 1.0open and the switch [0 will open either by the intentional opening ofthecircuit 12 or the failure of current in said circuit. Consequently,when there is danger or caution conditions of the track, or failure oftrack current, the vehicle equip-v ment will be controlledlcr suchconditions,

\ vill turn said'wheel to normalposition and.

position under the influence of an interval until the truck hasoverrun"43in coming to a standand it requires the. energized conditionof ger conditions, preventing turther'progrcss of'the ehicle. 7

Variousarrzuigeuients of the insulating points 9 of the rails R canhoused, and at 9 each "controlling portion or station 'of the trackthere can be asinany pairs of insulating points 9 as maybe required.fFor ex ample, as seen in Fig, 2, there are three pairs of insulatingpoints 9, and the intermediate pair can he used for caution'and theother pairs for danger, whereby during the movement of; the vehicle ineither direction it can be given a caution signal or condition, and atleasttwo progressive operations or movements to produce a danger signalor condition. Thus, when the switch 10 or the intermediate pairoiinsulating points 9 is to )crinittini: ot the sta gered insulation ofI the rails. as at 1.4, because the circuit 8 is kept closed by eitherrail, should the other rail fail, to close the circuit for any reasoncan enter protected portions o t the roadway without any interference ordisadvantage.

Having thus described. the invention, what s claimed as new*1s:

'1. Vehicle controll'ng apparatus includ-,

ing a conductor along which a vehicle is movable, having insulatingpoints therein,

7 means for bridgingsaicl insulating points,

and a vehicle controlling device including circuit normally closedbvsaid conductor and opened by said insulating points, whcn the bridgingmeans are open said device be ing operable by the rcclosing of saidcircuit a. iter being opened when passing one of said insulating pointswith its bridging means open, to thereby complete a predeterminedcondition ot vehicle control which is maintained after passing'suchinsulating points Q until the corresponding required conditionscordingly. V l i 3. Vehicle controlling apparatus includ= are compliedwith.

2. vehiclecontrolling apparatus includ ing a concucaor along whichvehicle is movable, having insulating points therein, means for bridgingsaid insulating points, and a vehicle controlling device including acircuit normally closed by said conductor and opened by said insulatingpoints when the bridging means are open, said device beinc: operable bythe opening and closing of said CiICH1i'- one or more'times, when passingone more of saidflinsulating points with the correspomling' bridgingmeans open, to thereby produce different predetermined conditionsot'vehiclo. control acing a conductoralong which a, vehicle is movable,having insulating points therein,

means for bridging said insulating points, and a vehicle controllingdevice including a circuit normally closed by said conductor and openedby said insulating points when the bridging means are opened, saiddevice being operable by the opening and closing of said circuit, whenpassing one of said insulating points with its bridging means open, tothereby produce a caution condition and operable by a repeated openingand closing of said circuit when passing another insulating point withits bridging means open, to thereby produce a danger condiiJl'OIl. V I xv 1 I 4;, Vehicle controlling apparatus including a conductor alongwhich a vehicle is movable, having insulating-points therein, means forbridging said insulating points, and a vehicle controlling deviceincluding a circuit normally closed by said conductor and opened by saidinsulating points when the bridging means are open, said device beingoperable by the opening and closing of said circuit when passing one ofsaid insulating points with its bridging means open, to thereby-producea predetermined condition of vehicle control and said device includingspeed controlled means for maintaining" such condition until the vehiclespeed is retarded accordingly;

5. Vehicle controlling apparatus including a conductor along which avehicle is movable, having insulating points therein, means tor bridgingsaid insulating points, and a vehicle controlling device including acircuit normally closed by said conductor and opened by said insulatingpoints when the bridgingmeans are open, said device being operable bythe opening and closing of said circuit one or more times, when passingone or more of said insulating points with thecorrespondingbridgingmea-ns open, to produce progressive conditions ofvehicle control, said device including speed controlled means formaintaining such conditions until predetermined reductions in speed ofthe vehicle hasbe'en made accord l ingly. V Y

6. Vehicle controlling apparatus including a conductor along which avehicle is.

mg of said circuitlonce or twice, when pass ing one or more of saidinsulating points, with the corresponding bridging means open, tothereby produce caution and danger conditions accordingly, said deviceincluding moans controlled by the speed of the vehicle for maintainingsuch conditions is movable, having insnhitim until the vehicle is breaghto a 'predeter mined rediiced speed or to a stop, respectively. 1

7,Vehi'oleeontrolli ig apparatus coniprising a conductor alking which-avehicle is movable, ha ving nsulating points therein means for bridgingsaid insulating points, a rogressively operable device on the vehicleelectrical means for operating said device one ormore times to bring itto differeht positions and including acircuit normally closed by saidconductor and opened and closed one or n ore times in passing saidinsulating points with the corresponding bridging nieans open, tooperate said deviceaocordingly', meanscontri'illed by speed of thevehicleand controlling the return oi? said 'devic'e nnder predetermiin-(l rediiictions in speed of the vehicle, and controlling means for theVehicle controlled by'sazd device in its different pos tions.

8. Vehicle controlling apparatd pris ng a conductor aloe;

means for bridging said int sting points, A v. I an electr callycontrolled oc e havii h; a

normal osition and iinclinfline a i-irciiit nif-rmally cosed by saidconductor and opened insulating points with the corresponding); bridgingmeans" open to set said. device to different controllin )ositionsaccordin lv l D I i v i t: 1

means controlled by the speed of? the vel'iice and controlling said devce for the return thereof to'no rinal position when the vehicle;

speed has been retarded a predetermined a-lno iin't, andivehiclecontrolling means con-.

trolled said device in its difierent con-- trolling positions; i v IVehicle controlling apparatus com; prising a; conductor along which avehicle is movable, ha *ing insiila in; points therein;

' for liridgingsaid insulating points, a step by step dev ce havin nanormal position, electrical means for operating said de vice one or moretunes and includ an electrical circuit normally closed by id conductorand opened and closed one or more t mes n passing said insulating pointswith one or more of said'hridging nieans thereof open to advance saiddev c to different' controlling positions accordingly, overnorcontrolled mem contr'o line said .ev 'c'e for the i ?et irn thereof tonorinal positlivhen predetermined reductions in speed oi: the v hicle'has n inade according to positionof said device. a

7 5011s. 10 Vehicle controlling apparatus conipr jsing a conductor a-lng which a vehicle 1s.1nova1b1e,.hav1ng a" set of insulating points Itherein, nieans operable for individually and selectively bridging saidineiilatinq points, i r, n f". T: u i vehicle contrdlllng meansincluding a y I p c velriclcon- V trolling i neans controlled by saiddevice in;

its d fferent controlling posi vehicle circuit normally closed .bysaidconductor and opened and closed one or inore tunes in pass ng saidinsulating points with the corresponding bridging means open to obtaindifferent vehicle controlling conditions according, to the number oftiinesthe circuit 18 opened, and a conductor connected a device operatedbythe opening and closing 01". said circuit to establish a pre'detiirniisled condition'of vehicle control, and arrangmt to return to normalposition, and Inea under the control of, the speed of the vehicle forretaining said device in operated position until corresponding reductionin. -.ichicle' speed is effected. v p

12. Vehicle controlling? apparatus cluding a conductor along which a isrnovable having insulating pointstl ""l insulating a vehicle circuitnorina i y closed byswi doctor andjopened by said insulating;- gfioints,when the bridging means are open, a re sponsive vehicle device operatedby the op ing and closingof said circuit to obt.

predetermined vehicle controlling condii tions, and adaptedto return tonormal posi';

tion, an'dnieans controlled by. the speed 0t the vehicle for controllingsaid device and including a catch for retaining. ililevice.

in operated position until the coi e: grinding reduction of vehiclespeed has been coinplied withf Y Y V v '13; Vehicle controlling;appari'itus fineluding a condnetoralong which a vehicle is movableandhaving insulating points therein, means for bridging said insula pointsa vehicle circuit nori lv closrei said conductor and opened by i 111;points, ivhen the bridging nieans are:

open, a responsive vehicle deviceoperated by the opening'aiid closing ofid c nit to set said device for predetermined vehicle controllingconditions, and adapted to re-- turn to normal position; a catch forretaining said device in operated position, and

y VIIIQHDSV controlled by the speed of the vehicle and oontrolhn saldcatch for releasing said device when the corresponding conditions of tinpoints therei n' conting 7 vehicle speed have been complied with, 7'

that said device is restored normal posi tion. 7

14.. Vehicle controlling apparatus z: Ii

Gil

eluding a conductor along which a vehicle is movable, having insulatingpoints there in, means for brid 'ingsaid insulating points, a vehiclecircuitnormally closed by said conductor and opened by said insnlat ingpoints, when the bridging means are open, a responsive vehicle deviceoperated by the opening and Closing of said circuit andincluding amember advanced by the operation of said device and adapted to return tonormalposition we 11 released, a catch for retaining said member whenadvanced, vehicle controlling means controlled by said member, and meanscontrolling said catch for releasing said member when. the correspondingconditions of vehi cle control have been complied with. y

I 15, Vehicle controlling apparatus including a-conductor along which avehicle is movable, having insulating points therein,

means for'bridging said insulating points, a. vehicle circ-uitnormallyclosed by Sfilfl conductor and opened by said insulating points, whenthe bridging means are open, a responsive vehicle device operated by theopening and closing of said circuit and including a memberadvanced bythe opera tion of said deviceand adapted to return to normal positionWhen released, a catch for retaining said member when advanced, ve-

hicle controlling means controlled by said member, and means controlledby the speed the vehicle and controlling said catch to release saidmember when the speed of the vehicle has been altered according to therequired conditions.

16. Vehicle controlling apparatus including a responsivevehicle deviceoperable step by step to different positions, and

adapted to return to normal position, means controlled by said device inits different positions for obtainingcorresponding conditions of vehiclecont 01, and D'QR-IISVIEOI retaining said device WllGll operated one ormore steps: and controlled according to cor} respondingr-reductions invehicle speed to release said device for return movement to normal.position; 4 i

17.; Vehicle controlling apparatus including a responsive vehicle deviceoperable step by step to ditlerent positions, means controlled by saiddevicein-its different po,

sitions when ope ated one or more steps for obtain ng? differentconditions or" vehicle control, and n'ieans for retaininn'saiddevice fin position when ope ated one or more steps and controlled by thev speedof the vehicle for n'iaintaininc) :the vehicle controlling, con..-ditions" until predetermined reductions a vehicle speed have beeneffected said device returning to normal position when the corresponding speed reductions are made. 7 p 18. Vehicle controlling apparatus including a responsive vehicle device operable step by'step toobtain different vehicle controlling position of said device.

conditions, and adapted to return to normal on when released, catchcsfor retainsaid device when operated one or more cps to correspondingpositions, and means controlled "for different reductions in vehi-- clespeed and controllingsaid catches in succession according to theposition ot' said device, :"or releasing said device for returnmovement.

19. Vehicle controlling apparatus includ- 'ing responsive vehicle deviceoperable a vehicle circuit normally closed by said conductor and openedby said insulating points, when the bridging means open, a responsivevehicle device operated step by step to different positions bytheopening and closing of said circuit one or more times, and means forretaining said device in its diiferent responded positions until thecorresponding vehicle controlling conditions have been complied with,said device returning to normal position when said conditions have beencomplied with.

21; Vehicle controlling apparatus inc uding a conductor along which avehicle is movable, having insulating points fthercin, means torbridgingr said insulating points, a

vehicle circuit nori'ually closed by said conductor and opened by saidinsulation points, when the bridging means are open. a responsivevehiclcdevice operable step by step to different positions by the opening otsaid circuit onesor more times, nc/anscontrolled by said device whenoperated one or more steps for obtaininp different conditions 0? vehiclespeed control, said device being adapted to return to normal position,and means for retaining: said device in its dittferent respondedpositions a d controlled by the speed of the vehicle for preventing thereturn of said device until predetcn niincd reductions in peed ofthei'chicle have been complied i-fli li, according to the 29. Vehiclecontrolling; apparatus includ ing a responsive vehicle device om ablosep by step to produce caution and (I? conditions in suwession, catch forholding; said (evice in caution position. second ca ch for holding saiddevice in danger position,

andnieans controlled by the motion oi? the vehicle and controlling saidcatches to HP;

lease the caution catch upon a predetermined reduction in speed of thevehicle and. for releasing the danger catch when the vehicle'is broughtto a stop.

23, Vehicle controlling apparatus including a responsive vehicle device])Q1'l1lll0 step by step to diilerent controllii'igi; p081 tions andadaltited to return to normal po sition when released a plurality ofcatches for retaining said illellllltl' when in "ed to differentcontrolling positions, and controlling said catches for d .ng them fromsaid member when different reductions in vehicle speed are nn'ideaccordin to the different positions oi said meat her. i 1 v V 24;.Vehicle controlling apparatus including a responsive vehicle deviceoperable step by step to produce diil'erent conditions, a catch forretaining said device l en operated one step, a second catch forrct.,ning said device ivhen operated anotherstep,

and means controlled bv the motion of the vehicle for releasing theIirst named and second named, catches in success on upon predeterminedreductions in. speed of the vehicle.

' controlling positions,

25. Vehicle controlling apparati s including a responsive vehicle deviceincluding a member and ratchet means for advancing;

itistep by step one or more times, to 1110' e mg a responsive vehicledevice opci": stepb vl step to produce caution and dance conditions insuccession. a cautioi'r cat 1 for retaining said device in cautionposition a dangcr catch For retaining said device in danger position, agovernor operated according: to the speed oi the vehicle, and meansoperated by the ,ir'overnor for i' cle'asin: said caution and dang-ercatchesin s1, vccssion when the vehicle is retarded to a predeterminedspecdand brought to a stop,

respectively. V r e 27. Vehicle controlling apparatus including aconductor alone which a vehicle is movable, having insulating pointstherein,

means for bridging said insulating points a vehicle circuit nor iallyclosed by said conductor and opened. by said insulating points, when thebridging means are open, a member operable step by step to differentelectromagnetic means in said circuithaving a ratchet connectlon wlthsaid member for advancing said nlen'iber one or more steps by theopeningand closing 01' said circuit one or more ratchet member foradvancingstep by step by the interi'nittent operation of said device, saidmemberbeing arranged to .rei

turn to initial position when released, catches for retaining saidmember when ad vahced difl'erent numbers of steps, and means controllingsaid catches and for dis en daging them from said matter underdiiferentronditions according was position of said'member, 29, Vehiclecontrolling ap mg a ratchet member to' be advanced conditionsinsuccession, aresponsive ele c tromagnetrc device operable intermittentlyurim-1 illCllldby step for producing caution and danger and includingapa-vvl engagealile with said. j

membertoadvance itstep by step, a cart tion catch to retain said memberin caution position, a danger catch-for retaining sa d member in dangerposition, a governor coiitrolled by the speed ofthe vehicle/, and meanscontrolled by the governor and oper ativelv connected. to said catchesfor disengaging the caution catch from said nieinber ivhen themed ofthev'ehi cle is retard ed a predetermined amount and (lhf engaging thedanger catch tro said memher when the vehicle is brou t to astop, saidmember retu'rning to in ia'l posiition \vhep'released to restore normalconditions.

BQ X GhlQ lB controlling apparatus nchidin a ratchet member to beadvancejd step by step for producing different controlling conditions,aresponsive device incliidinga v, pawl. engageable with; saidn ei'hliierto ad:

vancev it step p by step, said member being adapted to return whenreleased, rnleans for retaining said membervvhen advanced until by stepfor producing difi'erent vehicle controlling conditions, a. responsiveelectromagnetic device operable intermittently and including a pawlengageable with'said member to advance it step by step, means forretaining said member in it different posi tions when advanced one ormore steps until predetermined conditions of vehicle control have beencomplied with, said member being returnable to normal position whenreleased, and electro-magnetic means for disengaging said pawl from saidmember after each step or movement of said member.

32. Vehicle controlling apparatus 1ncludconditions of speed control havebeen com-v plied with according to the different positions of saidmember.

33. Vehicle controllingapparatus including a ratchet member operablestep by step to produce caution and danger conditions, a vehicle circuitincluding an electromagnet, an armature member under the influence ofsaid electromagnet, a pawl operated by said armature member to operatethe ratchet member and advance it step by step when said circuit isopened and closed in succession, a caution catch for holding saidratchet member whenadvanced to caution position, a danger catch forholding said ratchet member when advanced to danger condition,

said ratchet member returning to initial position when released, agovernor controlled by the motion of the vehicle, and an operativeconnection between said governor and catches for disengaging the cautioncatch from said ratchet member when the speed of the vehicle is reduceda predetermined amount and for disengaging the danger catch from saidratchet member when the vehicle is stopped.

I .insulating points, a vehicle circuit arranged to be normally closedby said rails and tobe opened intermittently when passing said1nsulating points with said bridging means open, a vehicle deviceresponsive to the opening and closing of said circuit one or more timesto produce progressive conditions in succession one after the other,said device being adapted to return to 'normal position, and meanscontrolled by predetermined vehicle speeds for controlling the return ofsaid device accordingly.

36. Vehicle controlling apparatus including a conductor along which avehicle is movable, having insulating points therein, means for bridgingsaid insulating points, and a vehicle controlling device including acircuit normally closed by said conductor and opened by said insulatingpoints, when the bridging means are open, said device includingelectrical means deenergized when said circuit is opened when passingone of said insulating points with its bridging means open, andreenergized when the circuit is again closed after passing such insulating point, and so arranged that such re energization completes apredetermined condition of vehicle control which is maintained until thecorresponding required conditions are complied with.

37. Vehicle controlling apparatus including a conductor along which avehicle is movable, having insulating points therein, meansv forbridging said insulating points, and a vehicle controlling deviceincluding a circuit normally closed by said conductor and opened by saidinsulating points, when the bridging means are open, said device havingelectrically energized means in said circuit to be deenergized andreenergized in passing said insulating points with the bridging meansopen, and said device includin a progressively operable means advancedstep by step by the repeated deenergization and reenergization of saidelectrically energized means for'producing difi'erent vehiclecontrolling conditions in succession.

38. Vehicle controlling apparatus including a conductor along which avehicle is movable, having insulating points therein, means for bridgingsaid insulating points, a vehicle circuit normally closed by saidconductor andopened by said insulating points,

when the bridging means are open, electrically energized means in saidcircuit, a step by step device advanced by the deenergiza tion andreenergization of said means, means controlled by the speed of thevehicle for controlling the return of said device to normal positionwhen the speed of the vehicle has been retarded a predetermined corresponding amount according to the position of said device, and meanscontrolled by said device for producing different vehicle con-vtrolling. conditions according to the advanced position, of' saiddevice.

89. Vehicle controlling apparatus including a, rail heving insulatingpoints therein,

cohtrolling meang for bridgingsaid isulating points, a train controllingclrcuit closed by" said rail and opened by said insulating points Withsaid bridging means op n, a d a vehicle device responsive to the openingand elqsing of said circuit and operable in pro ressive succession toproduce different con itions ixccordin to the number of times thecircuit is opene and closed. In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix mysignature. V

ALFRED L. RUTHVEN.

